Benzema: "I'm not leaving Real Madrid"

"I have no intention of leaving Real Madrid". Karim Benzema was categorical in his denial of the rumours that have been doing the rounds in recent weeks. The striker also highlighted the role played by Zinedine Zidane since he arrived at 'Los Blancos' from Lyon three seasons ago: "Zizou has been like my big brother".

On the back of his calls for more playing time last week, Karim Benzema has made it clear to the Bernabéu faithful that he is at the club for the long haul: "I have no intention of leaving Real Madrid", he told French television channel 'TF1' when quizzed about the alleged interest in his services from PSG.

Benzema also claimed that some of the criticism directed at him following his recent goal drought for 'Les Bleus' – for whom Didier Deschamps took over as coach after this summer's European Championship – "isn't fair".

Finally, the Real Madrid striker again played up his relationship with Zidane: "He's been like my big brother. We talk a lot. He'd always come down to the dressing room before matches to discuss things. I know he's really looking forward to being a coach, we've spoken about it", Benzema claimed in reference to the former France legend's desire to embark on a new adventure on the touchline.